George Douglas-Hamilton, 10th Earl of Selkirk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Group Captain The Right Honourable
The Earl of Selkirk
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| First Lord of the Admiralty | |
| In office 14 January 1957 – 14 October 1959 |
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| Preceded by | The Viscount Hailsham |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Carrington |
| Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster | |
| In office 20 December 1955 – 13 January 1957 |
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| Prime Minister | Anthony Eden Harold Macmillan |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Woolton |
| Succeeded by | Charles Hill |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 January 1906 |
| Died | 24 November 1994 (aged 88) |
| Spouse |
Audrey Sale-Barker
(m. 1947) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Commands | No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron (1934–38) |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Officer of the Order of the British Empire Air Force Cross Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
George Nigel "Geordie" Douglas-Hamilton, 10th Earl of Selkirk (born January 4, 1906 – died November 24, 1994) was a British nobleman and a Conservative politician. He held important roles in the government and served as a Group Captain in the Royal Air Force.
Contents
Early Life and Education
George Nigel Douglas-Hamilton was born in Merley, Dorset. He was the second son of Nina Mary Benita and the 13th Duke of Hamilton and Brandon.
He attended Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford. He also studied law at the University of Edinburgh. Later, he continued his studies in Germany, Austria, and France. In 1935, he became a lawyer.
George was active in his community from a young age. He was a member of the Edinburgh Town Council from 1935 to 1940. He also played cricket for Wiltshire in 1927.
Serving in the Royal Air Force
From 1934 to 1938, he commanded No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. For his service, he received the Air Force Cross in 1938.
World War II Service
When the Second World War began, Douglas-Hamilton joined the Royal Air Force. He became the chief intelligence officer for RAF Fighter Command. He also worked as a personal assistant to Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding. Douglas-Hamilton helped with efforts to stop German forces near Ceylon.
He was honored twice for his brave actions during the war. In 1941, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
In 1940, his father passed away. George became the Earl of Selkirk. This happened because his older brother became the 14th Duke of Hamilton.
After the War
After the war, George continued his public service. From 1946 to 1950, he was the president of the Cockburn Association. This group works to protect historic buildings and natural areas.
In 1947, he married Audrey Sale-Barker. She was a famous alpine skiing champion and a skilled pilot.
Political Career
In 1945, he became a Scottish representative peer. This meant he had a seat in the House of Lords, which is part of the British Parliament. He held this seat until 1963.
He served as a Lord in Waiting to King George VI and later to Queen Elizabeth II. This role involved assisting the monarch.
He held several important government positions:
- Paymaster General (1953–1955)
- Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1955–1957)
- First Lord of the Admiralty (1957–1959) – This role was in charge of the Royal Navy.
He received many honors for his service. In 1955, he joined the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. In 1959, he became a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George. He also became a Queen's Counsel in 1959. In 1963, he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire. The highest Scottish honor, Knight of the Order of the Thistle, was given to him in 1976.
He also held the role of Deputy Keeper of Holyroodhouse from 1937 until his death. He was made a Freeman of Hamilton, Scotland, in 1938. He was also honored by the Saulteaux Indians in 1967. He became an Honorary Citizen of Winnipeg and Selkirk, Manitoba in Canada.
High Commissioner to Singapore
From 1959 to 1963, Selkirk served as the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Singapore. This meant he was the top British diplomat in Singapore. He was also the British representative for Southeast Asia Treaty Organization.
While in Singapore, he was the British representative and Chairman of the Internal Security Council. This group was responsible for keeping Singapore safe.
See also
- Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton
- Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton
- Lord David Douglas-Hamilton
